Once Upon a Time

I live in Santa Monica, but I never see anyone famous, like all my friends claim they do. So imagine my surprise this summer, when I ran into the star of The Smurfs Movie, hanging out at Santa Monica Place. He was taller and more attractive in person, than on the big screen. Trust me, the movies don't do him justice.

I was with both of my daughters and granddaughter ( who, had she been another year older would have been impressed) and was delighted that my days of sitting through endless childrens' movies, has been passed on to the next generation. Now my daughter can spend a small fortune while being tortured for two hours, eating over-priced popcorn and sneaking in bottled water. Although, knowing my daughter, she will bring her own free-range tofu nuggets, washed down with natural coconut water.

Not that I was totally miserable while trying to immerse myself into an irritating plot,surrounded by hundreds of hyperactive kids on sugar highs, having to get up at least twice to hit the ladies little girls room, but it did seem equivalent to sitting in a dentist's chair. With gum underneath.

The best part was that after a few months, you were able to purchase it on DVD (in our days it was VHS) allowing your children to watch it at least another 200 times. I think my youngest daughter broke her sister's record of seeing ET 225 times, by watching Annie at least 500 times. To this day I cringe if I hear "the sun will come out tomorrow".

I must confess, I did use my television as a baby sitter more than I would like to admit. But at least by letting them watch movies, you cut out the middle man -- the toy commercials. I'm sure knowing every song from Annie, also came in handy while partying in college.

Did I mention that this was pre-Barney? How lucky that my parenting was in an era where one of your few choices was Sesame Street. We did not have the numerous product placement children's shows that are available 24/7. Something my daughter will not be able to escape. Ah, justice.